Ryan Westward's Blog

That's a pretty high pedestal he's putting himself on coming on the heels of an album that is just BARELY over 30 mins....total - Westward

According to The Pulse Of Radio, SMASHING PUMPKINS frontman Billy Corgan blasted PEARL JAM and FOO FIGHTERS in a new interview with Howard Stern, saying that neither band matched the early '90s accomplishments of either the PUMPKINS or NIRVANA. About PEARL JAM, Corgan said, "I don't think they have the songs. I think you stack my songs up, [Kurt] Cobain's songs up and that band's songs up, they don't have the songs. They're a great band. Look, they're still an arena act. They've been getting it done for a long time and I have to bow to that."

Corgan said he was friendly with PEARL JAM singer Eddie Vedder at one point, but they haven't been social in years, explaining, "I haven't been in a social frame with the guy in I don't know how long but I think a lot of people are transformed by fame… You can't blame him. He was on the cover of Time magazine, not me, and dealt with a level of fame that I never dealt with, so I can't say what that feels like."

Corgan also had some choice words for FOO FIGHTERS, saying, "Dave [Grohl] is a great musician, a great songwriter and has done the work. To me, my criticism of the FOO FIGHTERS, if I'm being a music critic is that they just haven't evolved and that's sort of the recent rap on them is, you know, making the same music… Listen, he's getting it done so it's like, if you want to be competitive, my philosophy against his, he's winning."

The PUMPKINS founder recently said that he and Kurt Cobain were the top two songwriters of their generation, and that everyone else was a "distant third."

A new SMASHING PUMPKINS album, "Monuments To An Elegy", arrived on Tuesday (December 9).

Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/billy-corgan-blasts-pearl-jam-foo-fighters/#FPrzDkIzmkSgbTv5.99

It's Official: Guitarist JIM ROOT Has Been Fired From STONE SOUR

Guitarist Jim Root has been fired from STONE SOUR, the group fronted by Root's SLIPKNOT bandmate Corey Taylor.

STONE SOUR has released the following statement regarding the matter: "As some of you might have heard by now, STONE SOUR and Jim Root have indeed parted ways. We were trying to wait until the completion of the new SLIPKNOT album, but in light of recent events, we are going to confirm this information and move on. We feel it's best for both bands and hope that is reflected in the days to come. We will give you more information when the time comes."

Taylor added in a separate tweet: "Jim and I are still working together in SLIPKNOT and the album is almost done."

Root reportedly chose to sit out STONE SOUR's recent North American tour so that he could concentrate on writing music for the next SLIPKNOT album. The Pulse Of Radio spoke with Root and asked him to explain his decision in a little more depth. "You know, unfortunately I'm only one person," he said earlier this year. "I can't really be in two places at one time and the amount of focus that I need to put into SLIPKNOT makes it really difficult for me to be on tour with STONE SOUR. It's crushing and it's heartbreaking and I really don't like the idea of not being out there, but I don't really see any other way to really do it without... I mean, this is, like, the best way that we could come up with for a compromise."

Earlier today, a fan who caught wind of the fact that Root will also be sitting out STONE SOUR's three U.S. summer shows scheduled for July 18-20 asked Jim on the guitarist's Instagram account (where Root posts under the name stuperbee) if Jim was still taking time off from the group. "I'm not in that band anymore," Root replied. "Not my decision. Not happy about it."

Root was replaced for the month-long STONE SOUR tour with POP EVIL and STOLEN BABIES — which began on January 14 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida and wrapped on February 15 in San Antonio, Texas — by Christian Martucci (THE CHELSEA SMILES, THOUSAND WATT STARE).

In a December 2013 interview with the Minneapolis radio station 93X, Taylor stated about Root's absence from the most recent STONE SOUR tour: "We wanted to go back out with STONE SOUR and do one more tour — just kind of wrap things up, because we were pretty smoked by the time we got done with the European run, especially with doing both bands, that we all just kind of needed some time off. But we wanted to go out and kind of do one more cool, quick run through the States, especially, and play some stuff off 'House Of Gold And Bones Part 2' that we never got a chance to, and just kind of make it fun for the fans. So we talked to Jim — Jim was in SLIPKNOT mode — so we talked to him about bringing a friend of ours, Christian Martucci, out to play, and he was fine with it, everybody was cool with it. So this is just kind of a way for us to kind of wrap everything up before I have to jump off the ship and start working on SLIPKNOT stuff as well."

Taylor and Root spent much of the last four years recording and touring behind three full STONE SOUR studio records, 2010's "Audio Secrecy" and the double concept album "House Of Gold & Bones", which was released in two parts in 2012 and 2013.

A HUGE thnk you to each and every one of you who helped get the word out and voted Don Post!! Thanks to you not only did Don get some well deserved recognition as the Nascar Humanitarian of the Year, but the March of Dimes will get an aditional $200,000 donated in Don's name that will goa LONG way in help the battle with premature births. I say $200,000 because Nascar donated $100,000 as reward for winning the award...and then Pat Warren and Kansas Speedway matched it and donated another $100,000!!!!! Well done and congrats!!!
-R

Jan Kuehnemund, Guitarist for All-Girl Metal Band Vixen, Dies at 51

12:11 PM PDT 10/11/2013 by Mick Stingley

Originally signed to EMI, the band released its self-titled debut, which spawned the hit singles "Cryin' " and "Edge of a Broken Heart," in 1988.

Jan Kuehnemund, the founding member and lead guitarist for the all-female glam metal band Vixen, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 10, after a long battle with cancer. She was 51. An official statement has not been released.

Kuehnemund was born on Nov. 18, 1961, in St. Paul, Minn., and formed Vixen in high school. She and singer Janet Gardner moved the band to Los Angeles in 1985 and, within two years, the classic lineup was formed with Roxy Petrucci on drums and Share Pedersen on bass. The band was later signed to EMI.

Vixen's self-titled debut was released in 1988 and spawned two hit singles, "Cryin' " and "Edge of a Broken Heart." The group appeared in the Penelope Spheeris film, The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years, and its videos were featured heavily on MTV.

Vixen followed up their breakout success with Rev It Up in 1990, which yielded two singles, "Love Is a Killer" and "How Much Love." The album did not have the same impact as the band's debut, however, and they were dropped shortly after.

Vixen disbanded for several years but reformed with various new members until Kuehnemund returned in 2001. The band had a brief reunion of the classic lineup for VH1's Bands Reunited in 2004, but soon went their separate ways. Kuehnemund continued as Vixen with new members and Gardner, Petrucci and Pedersen formed JanetShareRoxyGina (aka JSRG) with new guitarist Gina Stiles.

JRSG posted the news on its Facebook page early on Friday afternoon.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Vixen founder and lead guitarist, Jan Kuehnemund, who lost a fierce battle with cancer on Thursday, October 10, 2013. Though most well known for her gifted guitar playing and other musical talents, Jan was a rare friend and beautiful in every sense of the word. Humble, thoughtful, loyal and kind, she was the most gracious of women, possessing the quiet strength of a true warrior. She genuinely loved and appreciated her friends and fans more than most could ever know. Those who were most fortunate to have known her and loved her are heartbroken at the loss of Jan, whose spirit will shine through her music eternally.

Jan was very courageous. Never complained. Never gave up. The cancer beat her body but it NEVER broke her spirit at any point.

Up until the actual moment that she died, she really believed she was going back home.

Hard to imagine he's lasted this long but believe it or not, Johnny Dare is celebrating 20 years this weekend!! With a milestone like that, you really have no choice but to go all out and have a HUGE weekend long party! It's going down in a big way starting Thursday with the Harley Giveaway, Pop Evil and Eye Empire....then it continues on Friday with Jackyl, Theory of a Deadman, Ugly Kid Joe and Aranda...finally wrapping up on Saturday with Shinedown, Papa Roach, Rev Theory, In This Moment and Nigel Dupree!! Like I said, HUGE weekend!! Mike and Angie will be in town along with the mobile unit of the Full Throttle Saloon and it is game on!! Full detail are right here on this website...hope to see you out there!! - R

15 Rock Stars Behaving Badly

Throwing tantrums and haymakers, peeing in public and other ill-advised acts

When security cameras captured Kid Rock throwing haymakers at an Atlanta Waffle House in 2007, viewers could hardly resist rolling their eyes. Not only was it a knucklehead move, but it was the third time in two years that he'd gotten in legal trouble for slugging someone in public. Granted, famous musicians live wild and crazy lifestyles. But when they get arrested for dumb things, it compromises the fantasy for the rest of us. Here are some other musician arrests that made us shake our heads.

Izzy Stradlin
During a 1989 flight from Indianapolis to Los Angeles, the Guns N' Roses guitarist could have used – ahem – just a little patience. Annoyed that the bathroom was occupied, Stradlin declared, "I'm not waiting any longer." Then, according to an FBI agent's report, he unzipped his pants and took a leak into the galley area, shocking passengers and a flight attendant. After Stradlin's arrest, Geffen Records publicist Bryn Bridenthal appealed to the First Amendment, saying, "Relieving himself in the galley was just his way of expressing himself." As part of his misdemeanor guilty plea, Stradlin had to write an apology letter to the USAir crew.

Chris Robinson
After a 1991 concert in Denver, the Black Crowes frontman squawked when a 7-Eleven clerk refused to sell him alcohol after midnight. As he was fuming, a fellow customer looked to her friend, Elizabeth Juergens, and said, "There's the lead singer for the Black Crowes!" When Juergens replied, "Who are the Black Crowes?" Robinson whirled around and told her she'd know who the Black Crowes were if she didn't eat so many Twinkies. Things got ugly from there, with Robinson spitting on Juergens before walking out with two cases of beer. The "Hard to Handle" singer later pled guilty to disturbing the peace.

Kid Rock
Kid Rock got a little slaphappy in 2007. A month before throwing down at a Georgia Waffle House, he'd slugged Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee during the MTV Video Music Awards. But those incidents lacked punch compared to his 2005 arrest for clocking a strip club DJ. Rock was in Nashville for the funeral of artist-manager Merle Kilgore when he and friends decided to check out the views at Christie's Cabaret. When DJ Jeremy Campos announced that the club was closing, one of Rock's entourage shouted, "The DJ sucks!" Campos responded, "Shut up. This is my job. I don't bother you when you're digging in trash cans." Kid Rock demanded an apology, and when he didn't get one, he drilled the DJ. The fight resulted in a no contest plea and a lawsuit.

Ozzy Osbourne
The heavy metal legend won't have any problem remembering the Alamo. After word came out that Osbourne – who once proclaimed he had a preoccupation with defiling public shrines – had whizzed on the famous landmark before a show in 1982, some Texans were so angry, they reportedly launched into a mini-riot at the concert. Turns out Osbourne didn't technically pee on the Alamo, scene of the state's battle for independence in 1836: he relieved himself on a 60-foot cenotaph across the street. Still, a decade after his arrest for public intoxication, the self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness made nice, donating $10,000 to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, who care for Alamo.

Boy George
In 2007, 29-year-old Norwegian escort Audun Carlsen thought he was going to Boy George's home for a naked photo shoot. He wound up handcuffed to a wall fixture and beaten with a chain. During Boy George's trial, it was revealed that the two had dabbled in cocaine on the night in question. At some point, Boy George, who suspected Carlsen had hacked into his computer, announced, "Now you're going to get what you deserve." Out came the chains, basically writing the tabloid "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?" headlines.

Sebastian Bach
While visiting a pub in his hometown of Peterborough, Ontario, in 2010, the former Skid Row singer asked the pub's musician of the evening if he and his friends could sing. The musician, Josh Gontier, told them to talk to the pub manager. Instead, they sat down and heckled Gontier. Bach threw ice cubes at him, according to the Toronto Sun, asking Gontier if he knew who the star was. Staff asked the group to leave, and when Bach was told he couldn't take his wine outside, he smashed his glass against a front door. While waiting for police to arrive, pub owner Jim Kakouros put Bach in a bear hug, prompting Bach to bite his hand. Charges were dismissed. "America gets rock stars a little more than Canada does," Bach later said.

Peter Buck
A week before his band was scheduled to perform at a massive concert for peace, the R.E.M. guitarist went wild on 2001 flight to London. According to one witness, Buck had been "downing drinks like they were going out of business." When the crew cut him off, he was not a shiny, happy person, pushing two crew members and hurling yogurt at a flight attendant. After a pilot radioed an air rage incident, Buck was arrested and charged with several offenses, including "criminal damage to a quantity of crockery." Buck would later apologize for the incident in a statement: "I am very sorry for the incident, and, of course, very embarrassed about the whole thing."

Eminem
In 2000, Slim Shady was arrested for two separate gun-related incidents just hours apart. In the first, he pulled an unloaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol on Douglas Dail, road manager for Eminem rival Insane Clown Posse, yelling, "You want some of this?" A few hours later, a still-fuming Em saw his ex with a bouncer outside a Michigan nightclub. The bouncer, John Guerra, later said the rapper hit him in the head and face, shouting "I'm going to kill you!" as they struggled for the unloaded gun. Eminem later recreated the latter offense on a track titled "The Kiss (Skit)." He got probation for both incidents.

DMX
Running late for a flight in 2004, the rapper told a parking lot attendant at New York's JFK Airport that he was an FBI agent before racing through a barrier. He then argued with another driver over a parking space, grabbing the man's shirt in the process. In a case originally described as a carjacking, DMX pled guilty to reckless endangerment and driving under the influence of Valium. During his sentencing, he was forced to give up the SUV used in the offense. "I've got over 30 cars, but it was my first truck," the rapper lamented afterward.

Michael Todd
In July of 2011, the Coheed and Cambria bass player arrived in Massachusetts on a luxury tour bus. Hours before a gig at the Comcast Center in Mansfield, he walked into a local Walgreens and threatened to bomb the joint if he didn't get pain pills. The pharmacist handed over six bottles of Oxycontin, and Todd caught a taxi to the Comcast Center. He was on the tour bus a little later when police caught up to him. As his band walked onstage, Todd was being booked and processed. He was sentenced to one year of home confinement.

Marilyn Manson
Manson's attorney admitted it was "in poor taste" when his client rubbed his junk on the head of a security guard in Clarkston, Michigan. But, he added, it wasn't sexual misconduct, as the prosecution alleged. In a subsequent lawsuit, Joshua Keasler, 26, claimed Manson grabbed him from behind during a 2001 show and improperly touched him. As Keasler tried to escape, he claimed, Manson continued to "gyrate his hips, thighs and/or public areas against (Keasler's) head, neck and/or face." If convicted of sexual misconduct, Manson would have had to register as a sex offender. Instead, he pled no contest to being a disorderly person and assault and battery. "It's a victory for art," Manson said afterward.

Axl Rose
Rose and his band Guns N' Roses were performing at the Riverport Amphitheatre near St. Louis in 1991 when the singer saw a fan with a camera and went bonkers. "Hey, take that!" he ordered security. "Get that guy and take that!" Not pleased with the response, he dove into the crowd and started throwing punches. He made it back to the stage, saying, "Thanks for the lame-ass security – I'm going home." Then the "Welcome to the Jungle" singer slammed down his microphone and left. During the riot that ensued, the police chief requested tear gas and fire hoses to help disperse the crowd. Rose was later charged with assault.

Jerry Lee Lewis
Hours after he was arrested for driving while intoxicated in November of 1976, the man nicknamed the Killer arrived at Graceland with a loaded pistol, demanding to see Elvis. Harold Loyd, Elvis's cousin and security guard, rang the King, but Lewis' former Sun Records cohort wisely declined to greet Lewis. Instead, the police did, providing Lewis his second run-in with the law in the same day.

Tommy Lee and Nikki Sixx
During a 1997 concert in Greensboro, North Carolina, the two Mötley Crüe members turned on the security guards, believing they had manhandled their fans. One of the security staffers, African-American John Allen, claimed they shouted racial slurs at him and incited the crowd of more than 2,000 to attack him. He also said Sixx kicked him and spit on him. With wife Pamela Anderson in the courtroom, Lee pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of simple assault for pouring beer on Allen's head. Sixx pleaded no contest to inciting a riot, simple assault and disorderly conduct. Allen's lawsuit against them was later settled.

Foxy Brown
In 2007, Brown was already on probation for assaulting two manicurists at a Florida beauty shop. After purchasing a bottle of hair glue at the Queen Beauty Supply in Pembroke Pines, Brown went to a bathroom to try it out. After 15 minutes, store owner Hayssam Ghoneeim knocked on the door and said they were closing. Brown allegedly said, "I bought this glue, and I'll do what I wanna do!," then flung open the door, tried to squirt Ghoneheim with the glue and knocked over a shelf of spray bottles in a profanity-filled tantrum. Later, Brown – who'd been ordered to take anger management classes after the manicure incident – swatted at a cop, who said he was forced to use a takedown maneuver.

Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of the band KISS open a new location of their restaurant chain Rock & Brews LLC. Enlarge Rock & Brews LLC Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of the band KISS open a new location of their restaurant chain Rock & Brews LLC. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, members of the band KISS, plan to open their restaurant Rock & Brews Prairiefire in Overland Park's Prairiefire development next year. The Kansas City Business Journal reports the band members operate the restaurant chain with co-founding partners Michael Zislis and concert industry veterans Dave and Dell Furano. They'll have help in Kansas City from Merrill Cos. President Fred Merrill. Rock & Brews is a growing rock-themed restaurant with American cuisine and a wide range of craft beers.